Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I am saying the company was fined more than $16 million. He was CEO and the buck must stop at the top. He should stand aside and come before the Oireachtas committees.

What is the point of us tarnishing good public servants who want to do their jobs and work with the Department? Incidentally, since the man who has become the new Secretary General joined the Department of Finance, a building society was taken over. The main architect of this, and the person who signed all of the affidavits, was the same gentleman. I cannot say too much because of existing court cases. Did the State take, steal or rob the shares of these ordinary people? We must question this. When it happened, the main adviser and architect was this same gentleman. We must have the highest standards possible and we cannot have any question marks.

I have sat on interview boards during the years for menial and senior jobs. If any CV had a five-year gap, questions would be asked as to why someone would take a sabbatical. Was it enforced? Was it agreed? Was it taken because the company was questioned? I do not know. The CV of the man in question states he was CEO during the particular time. The Department of Finance might say something different, such as on the news at one o'clock today. Either his CV is wrong or the Department of Finance is wrong. He must be brought before a committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I support the request of Deputy McGuinness that members of the Committee of Public Accounts and Oireachtas committees with responsibility for finance should be on the interview boards. We must have the openness and transparency promised by the Government to get rid of the last shower which was not open on anything. However, the Government is worse and neglecting this job.

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